www.ecuadors.org

[Kalyn]

I'm about to book a last minute trip, but besides the questions of agencies and boats (does everybody else go with the Encantada??), I'm not yet sure which of the islands should be included in the tour. Up to now it didn't help me a bit to toil through all the excellent descriptions in LP. Anybody out there who could help me with the choice?

Additionally I'm thinking about adding some time on one of the islands by myself, something that many of the users seem to have good experience with. But which island to choose? Is it ok to thoroughly explore one you have already touched during the boat tour? And are there more or less opportunities to - al menos de vez en cuando - walk by your own, or is it always necessary to have a guide?

Looking forward to some help,

[Jared]

After our 8 day cruises, my gf and I delayed our return flights to the mainland and stayed a few extra days in Puerto Ayora (the main city on Santa Cruz) and then caught a inner-island water taxi over to Puerto Villamil on Isabela.

Isabela is not the place to head to if you are looking to party all night. No, it is quiet here. But with a few things to do inlcuding snorkling(with a guide...or really a local and his boat), horseback riding up to the island's volcano(also guided), walking to the small breeding center for tortises and then along the path to a few other sites including a lava tube cave and ending at the Muro de las Lagrimas or "Wall of Tears" Isabela can be an attractive place for a few nights. There are a few small restaraunts in the town and probably 10 or so places to lay your head. And between the town and the trail to the Muro de las Lagrimas lies a fantastic 3 or 4km beach.
This is relaxing place good for reading a good book or 2... or 3 or 4.

We never made it over to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal which is the other place to stay so I can't comment of this.

[sullivan]

You can not tour the islands on your own , you always need to go with a guide (except for Santa Cruz obviously). Only a few islands are accessible from Santa Cruz so this limits your choice, you go on a one day tour returning to town that night with a guide. No one is allowed to stay overnight on the islands. On most islands there are 2 or maybe 3 trails which you can do. If you've already seen this island with a cruise, chances are that you've already done the trails. It's forbidden to leave the area demarcated by the trail lines. I think you should do your cruise and maybe add some time in Puerto Ayora if you want after the tour.